An Invitation on World Marriage Day

Bishop Bonnar invites couples who are married civilly but not in the Church to inquire about beginning the validation process (“having your marriage recognized by the Church.”) Please contact the parish office at your earliest convenience to inquire about beginning the necessary steps leading to the validation of your marriage.

Downloadable forms are available on the Canonical Services page.

World Marriage Day

A letter from the Bishop to the Faithful will be read at all of the Sunday Masses, or placed in the bulletin as an insert, inviting persons who are in a marriage which is not recognized by the Catholic Church to make their marriages right before Christ and the Church.

The parties are invited to meet with their pastors (parochial vicars or pastoral leaders) to make an inquiry concerning the recognition of their marriage by the Catholic Church. Couples living together without the benefit of marriage are also invited to make holy their relationship.

CELEBRATION: Once the necessary steps are taken, which will vary according to each situation, and once freedom to marry before the Church is established, then on a parish level the marriage shall be celebrated before the Church.